Pepper to be sent to hospital

A Victoria judge ordered Pepper be committed to North Texas State Hospital in Vernon.

Pepper, whose birth name is Marlin Adams, was charged with aggravated assault causing serious bodily injury and obstruction or retaliation.

Dr. Joel Kutnick found Pepper, 59, incompetent to stand trial on those charges.

To be competent, one must have a rational and factual understanding of the proceedings as well as be able to consult with his or her attorney on his or her defense, said defense attorney Jerry Clark.

Pepper will be at the maximum security unit for no longer than 120 days, subject to a 60-day extension, for the purpose of regaining competency to stand trial, according to Judge Robert C. Cheshire's order, which was made available Thursday.

Pepper is charged with beating 52-year-old Lupe Sandoval on April 17 and threatening a police officer who found and arrested him afterward, according to the indictment.

The state also alleges Pepper used a rock as a deadly weapon in the assault.